Answers To Your Burning Questions About Dental Sealants

If your child is a patient of Dr. Mo and Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry, you have probably heard our team recommend dental sealants for children, but you may be wondering why. Dental sealants protect the surface of the hard to reach molars in the back of a child’s mouth. Those are the teeth that most frequently get cavities, so a lot of dentists will recommend sealants as a preventative measure. If you are a new parent or just don’t know much about the benefits of sealants, we’re here to answer your burning questions!

What is a dental sealant?

A dental sealant is a thin, liquid coating that is painted onto the chewing surfaces of a child’s back teeth. Dental sealants are usually applied to the molars and premolars. After the sealant is applied, Dr. Mo will cure the sealant so it will harden and create a shield over those back teeth to protect them from cavities. A child’s back teeth are most susceptible to cavities because they are harder for children to brush properly.

The molars and premolars are full of ridges on their surfaces, which help grind up food when we chew. Those ridges make the molars and premolars more prone to cavities because bacteria can hide in the ridges when teeth aren’t brushed properly. Over time, the bacteria can get trapped and will begin eating away at the teeth, causing tooth decay and cavities. That is why dentists recommend dental sealants to help “seal” out the bacteria, keeping children’s teeth healthy and cavity free.

When is the best time to get dental sealants?

The best time for children to get dental sealants is when the back sets of teeth come in. Normally, premolars and the first set of molars erupt around age six, with the second set of molars erupting around age 12.

Dentists recommend that children get dental sealants on these teeth as soon as they have fully erupted so that the teeth can be protected for as long as possible. Children are more prone to cavities from ages six to 14, so having sealants applied to the back teeth can help prevent cavities, even for children who have fantastic oral hygiene habits.

Sometimes, dentists will recommend children get dental sealants for their primary or baby teeth if those teeth have grooves or deep depressions. In this case, the sealants help protect the baby teeth that are holding the space for the incoming adult or permanent teeth. If baby teeth are lost too soon, adult teeth may have problems coming in at the right places and orthodontics may need to play a role in your child’s dental health later in life.

Can adults get dental sealants?

A misconception is that dental sealants are only for children, but the truth is, dental sealants are for anyone! Older teens and adults who do not have decay of fillings in their molars are candidates for sealants.

Dental sealants are one of the most common preventative dental procedures done today, and nearly half of teens ages 12 to 19 have had sealants applied to their molars.

Any person who is prone to cavities is a candidate for dental sealants.

How are dental sealants applied to teeth?

Dental sealants can be applied by a dentist or dental hygienist in just a few minutes in the dental office. The procedure is painless.

To apply sealants, your teeth will first be cleaned thoroughly. Next, the teeth will be dried, with a piece of cotton placed around the teeth to keep the surface area dry. The dentist or dental hygienist will then paint a small amount of solution to the chewing surfaces of the teeth that are going to be sealed. The solution roughens up the surface of the teeth, which will help create a better bond between the sealant and the teeth.

After that, the teeth will be rinsed and dried once again before the dental sealant is painted onto the enamel of the teeth. The sealant will bond directly to the teeth, and a curing light will then be shone on the sealant to harden it to the teeth.

How long do dental sealants last?

As long as a patient keeps up with a good dental hygiene routine of brushing their teeth for at least two minutes twice a day and flossing once a day, dental sealants can last for five years before they need to be reapplied. For best results, your dentist will reapply sealants as needed.

Choose Must Love Kids for all of your child’s dental needs.

Whether your child is in need of a biannual dental evaluation or they are in need of dental sealants, Dr. Mo and the Must Love Kids team are available to look after your child’s dental care. If you haven’t seen us in a while, schedule your appointment today!